A day of impact with British Cycling

Community Integrated Care was proud to join forces with British Cycling for a powerful day of creativity, connection and inclusion on Tuesday 1^st July.

With a unique arts experience at Manchester’s National Cycling Centre and leaders from the sport visiting our charity’s services to learn more about social care, these experiences powerfully marked British Cycling’s mass day of social impact activity.

The day brought together people supported by our charity, colleagues and members of British Cycling, including British Cycling athletes and legends to co-create a series of symbolic artworks.

Working side by side, our people created artworks that reflect the shared missions of our organisations: enabling people to live the Best Life Possible, and bringing the Joy of Cycling to everyone.

Blending brand colours and visual symbols of care and cycling, the art created also serves as a powerful metaphor for the ambitions of our growing partnership with British Cycling – one built on shared values of inclusion, opportunity and creativity.

The day was supported by senior leaders and teams from across our organisations, with Community Integrated Care’s CEO, Jim Kane, and British Cycling’s CEO, Jon Dutton, both joining in with the festivities. It was also attended by cycling legend Ed Clancy and British Cycling athletes Harry Ledingham-Horn, Hayden Norris, Josie Knight, Ali Fielding, Hamish Turnbull, Joe Truman, Edward Lowe and Megan Barker.

As part of the wider experience, senior officials from British Cycling also visited two of our services across Greater Manchester – Somerset House and Griffin Lodge. During their visits, they spent quality time with colleagues and people we support – gaining insight into the lives and aspirations of people who draw on social care.

Developing understanding of the social care sector, and the impact of creativity and innovation in quality care, this experience has helped inspire fresh thinking for the long-term strategic partnership between our charity and sport.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, said, “This was an important step in what will become a major partnership. Today was all about building connections between our two communities and demonstrating a long-term commitment to social impact. The impact of the day was clear to see on the faces of colleagues and people we support alike – the joy, creativity and ambition sparked by this experience was palpable.”

“British Cycling have shown a deep enthusiasm for standing with us in challenging inequalities and unlocking new opportunities. Through creativity and shared purpose, we’ve laid the foundations for a partnership that will inspire inclusion across both social care and sport. We’d like to say a huge thank you to the whole team at British Cycling for their work and for inviting us to be part of their mass day of social impact.”

Jon Dutton, CEO of British Cycling, said, “We’re proud to partner with Community Integrated Care and to have hosted such a meaningful day as part of the launch of our Charitable Foundation. The day was really uplifting and inspiring, and we all learnt so much about the care sector and the importance of enabling fulfilling opportunities that are accessible for all.”

“The creativity and enthusiasm that came through in the artworks, and the connections built between our riders, colleagues and the people supported by the charity, demonstrate the true power of collaboration. This partnership is just beginning – and we’re really excited about the change we can make together.”